Lesson Twelve: LOVE AND JUSTICE: THE TWO GREATEST COMMANDMENTS
Introduction: This week, we are studying the unbreakable bond that links loving God, who is love, to loving one another. Furthermore, we are called to acknowledge the fact that if we love God, we will love one another and share a concern for each other’s well-being.
Memory Text: 1 John 4:20(NKJV)
“If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?”
SABBATH; In as much as there is evil and suffering in this world right now, and yet God can not do much to eradicate all this evil at the moment because of the factors that are involved in the cosmic conflict, as Christians, there is something we can do to reduce on the suffering and evil that is going on. God is love and just, likewise, when we love God, we are called to show justice to those around us and reach out to those in need. By this, we seek to reflect God’s perfect character of love and righteousness through what we do, individually or together as a team.
SUNDAY; In the quest to advance God’s love and justice in this world, we need to acknowledge the fact that one should love God with one’s soul, mind and strength and to also love one’s neighbour as oneself. This is echoed throughout Scripture as the base. The link between loving God and showing justice(love) to others is highlighted in the passage of Jesus and the rich young ruler who claimed to obey God and yet failed to show love to the poor with his material possessions, thus ultimately failing to follow Jesus as well.
(READ Matthew 22:34-40; 19:16-23)
MONDAY; The emphasis of loving God above everything else, is a common theme found in the Old Testament and it points out how its opposite, being the worshipping of idols as one of the two greatest sins in the sight of God. Likewise, the opposite of loving one another as oneself, which is bringing oppression and suffering on God’s people(injustice) is the other greatest sin in the sight of God. Therefore, one cannot keep the commandments if one does not love God and others as well.
(READ Psalm 135:13-19; Deuteronomy 6:5; Zechariah 7:9-12; 1 John 4:20&21)
TUESDAY; Throughout Scripture, we see God’s love for justice shown by His love towards the oppressed victims and His anger towards the oppressors. According to Bible scholars, Psalm 82 warns us against unjust rulers of this world who get their power from demons that God will eventually judge. The prophets, following the call in Verses 3 and 4, urge the rulers to observe justice on the people of God. In addition, God expects this from all who claim to love and obey Him. By the fulfilment of this, the disciples of Jesus will be known as He states in the gospel of John.
(READ Psalm 82; 33:5; Isaiah 61:8; John 13:35; 1 John 4:8-16)
WEDNESDAY; Prophets in the Old Testament call people to carry out justice. Prophet Isaiah points out judgement upon those who do not heed to the command from God contrary to this call. Prophet Jeremiah stamps on this fact by declaring woe unto him who carries out unrighteousness as the Lord says. As much as the Old Testament prophets pushed for justice, Jesus Christ was much more concerned with justice as well. He rebuked the Pharisees who followed their traditions and yet neglected to show justice and show mercy which was rather the most important issue to address.
(READ Matthew 23:23-30; Luke 11:42; Isaiah 1:17; 10:1-3; Jeremiah 22:13,15&16)
THURSDAY; Upon the question asked by the lawyer about who his neighbour was, Jesus answers with a story about a Jew who was attacked as he journeyed to Jericho. A priest and a levite passed by him and he was rather helped by a Samaritan yet Samaritans were considered enemies with the Jews. A neighbour is therefore one who helps one in need. In addition to this call to uphold justice, Jesus was the best manifestation of the love and righteousness of God for He was the fulfillment of the justice that had been longed for by the people. He is just and the Justifier, through whom all nations are delivered once they believe in Him.
(READ Luke 10:25-37; 4:16-21; Isaiah 61:1&2; Psalm 9:8&9; 146:7-9)
FRIDAY; God created man in His own image and therefore, the Gospel places a great value upon man as the purchase of the blood of Christ. Therefore, any religion that seeks to question the Sovereignity of God, in that it gives man lesser value than a dumb animal is a false religion. It teaches its followers to be careless of human needs, sufferings and rights. True religion teaches how to look out and care for one another just like Christ exemplified this aspect by bringing happiness to the people through healing them, even on the Sabbath day.
(READ “The Sabbath” pages 281-289 in The Desire of Ages by Ellen G White)
CAPTIONS:
SUNDAY; The two greatest commandments
MONDAY; The two greatest sins
TUESDAY; God loves justice
WEDNESDAY; Called to establish justice
THURSDAY; Who is my neighbour?
FRIDAY; Further thought
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS;
- Though we might not all be called to sell all that we have, as was this rich young ruler, what might you, personally, be clinging to that, if you don’t give it up, could lead to your eternal ruin?
- If God loves justice and mercy, how should we act in accordance with what matters most to God? How can we be more focused on what Jesus called “the weightier matters of the law”?
- How are you living up to the notion that loving God involves caring about the needs of others?
